Sunday, March 22, 2020 was one of the most unusual Sundays in the history of Christianity. Do you know why? For the first time since the resurrection of Jesus, the majority of Christians across the world did not gather for worship on the Lord’s Day. A worldwide pandemic meant that public worship was not allowed, or not advised. We never dreamed that this first Sunday would be followed by many months of isolation. It was a tremendous loss for the Body of Christ. And we longed for the day when we would be able to gather again. While the church doors were closed, perhaps we better understand the writer of Psalm 84. As he writes, he longs to be where he cannot be: worshiping in the courts of the Lord. The psalm has three stanzas, from which we discern three ways the presence of God brings blessing to His people. 1st, there is the blessing of Joyful Praise (v 1-4). For the ancient Israelite, to be near God meant visiting the temple in Jerusalem. It was the most sacred spot on earth, where God chose to make His glory known. But the psalmist finds himself in some lonely, distant location—jealous of the birds who get to build their nests in the temple rafters! Do we also long for the LORD’s presence? “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” 2nd, there is the blessing of Growing Strength (v 5-8). Those living in ancient Israel traveled to Jerusalem, the holy city, in order to be near God. But since he can’t be there in person, the psalmist’s heart becomes a highway to Zion. We too are on a spiritual journey, to an eternal temple in the New Jerusalem. We may pass through parched valleys; our path is often marked by sorrows. But God brings us through the Valley of Baca (weeping). He provides the refreshment we need, and we grow stronger through our trials. “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” 3rd, in God’s presence we experience the blessing of Confident Trust (v 9-12). When we experience pain or loss, we are tempted to believe God is not good. We wonder if He knows about us, or if He really cares. We’re not sure He can be trusted, so we don’t bother to pray. But the psalmist looks beyond his own troubles to pray for the king, God’s anointed one. In Christ our King, we too find our welfare. He is our sun; He is our shield. We are never outside of His sovereign care, and “no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Just one day near God is better than a thousand days in any other place! Just to be a humble servant of God is far better than living in luxury without Him. “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” For further meditation: